Peach tree named &#39;FLATDIVA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree denominated ‘FLATDIVA’ which have fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet greenish white flesh, with a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a washed red background.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘FLATDIVA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whiteflat peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given thevariety denomination ‘FLATDIVA’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits, slightly greenish,with a very slightly red pigmentation around and into the stone cavity,for fresh market at the end of August or early in September in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘FLATDIVA’ white flat peach tree originated from a cultivated areaof the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where itwas tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms. ‘FLATDIVA’was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by agenetic profile, under number 02.2W.20.11.

The ‘FLATDIVA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has beendetermined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effectsof the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘FLATDIVA’ white flat peach tree blooms atthe end of February or early in March near Elne in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period isconsidered medium. However, it was observed that its date of bloomingseems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘FLATDIVA’ ripens generally late season, at the endof August or early in September. More particularly, ripening timeusually begins from August 12^(th) to September 2^(nd). However, it wasobserved that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant onclimatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a branch of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing a fruit;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruitsafter harvesting;

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 a close view of three typical specimens of the fruit of the newvariety ‘FLATDIVA’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in halfwith the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruitflesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers,stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not beaccurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘FLATDIVA’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared outaspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is presentexcluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning offlowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of Februaryor early in March. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size.Petals are dark pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruitflesh is greenish white and generally with a red pigmentation onto thestone cavity and around, on approximately 6.0 millimeters. The fruitskin is thick, with a purple red blush on a washed red background. Thestone is semi-clingstone and his size is small to medium. Fruit taste issemi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘ASFPBF0798’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,496),‘FLATDIVA’ variety blooms 5 days later and the fruits of ‘FLATDIVA’variety ripen approximately 10 days later. The maturity of ‘FLATDIVA’variety is considered late. The fruits skin color of ‘FLATDIVA’ varietyis more intense compared to skin color of ‘ASFPBF0798’ variety.Moreover, the fruits of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety are a little more sugary thanthe fruits of ‘ASFPBF0798’ variety.

Compared to ‘FLATMOON’ (not patented) variety, ‘FLATDIVA’ variety bloomsapproximately at the same time and ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits ripen 5 daysearlier. The fruits skin color of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety is more intensecompared to skin color of ‘FLATMOON’ variety. Moreover, the ‘FLATDIVA’variety shows a particularly strong attachment to the stalk, in otherwords no stalk wrenching occurs. On the contrary, ‘FLATMOON’ variety issusceptible to stalk wrenching. Consequently, the ‘FLATDIVA’ variety isvery little sensitive to rot whereas the ‘FLATMOON’ variety is sensitiveto rot. After the harvest, the lifespan of ‘FLATMOON’ fruits is shortwhereas the ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits have a long life both on the trees andafter the harvest. Finally, ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits are more sugary (Brixbetween 17 and 19 degrees) than ‘FLATMOON’ fruits (Brix between 14 and15 degrees).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white flat peach tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third growing season (second year of production) underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observationshave been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA®GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first            year was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned            during each following dormant season to a height of            approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could            reach 80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduces to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered strong.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety. A reduce vegetation,            obtained with pruning or green pruning, approximately 1            month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat fruits,            significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially growth,            color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to            monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘FLATDIVA’ variety            is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity, to cork            formation into peduncle cavity or to monilia.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘FLATDIVA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases.            Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical            low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the            flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than            in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed            to frost are recommended for trees growth. However            ‘FLATDIVA’ trees seem to be very resistant to critical            frosty weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 63.0 millimeters in diameter when            measured at a distance of approximately 30.0 centimeters            above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels            range in size from approximately 2.0 to 4.0 millimeters in            width, and about 1.5 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 D or RHS Black 202 D), whereas the            inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey            201 C or RHS Black 202 C) slightly darker than the outside            of lenticels color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 7.0            millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 15.0            to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Current season shoots.—.        -   Internode length.—Generally between 25.0 and 35.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Grey brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A            to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).        -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips            is considered pale green (RHS Green 144 A to RHS Green            144 C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is darker and colored in brown-purple more or less deep            (RHS Greyed Red 187 A to RHS Greyed Red 187 B or RHS Greyed            Red 182 A to RHS Greyed Red 182 C), depending on the level            on the tip and the sunlight exposure.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is 4.06.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 142.0 to 191.0 millimeters            without leaf petiole. The medium length is about 162.1            millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 34.0 to 43.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 39.9 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Short and acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Yellow Green (RHS Yellow            Green 147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow            Green 147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream white (RHS            Yellow Green 145 D). The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            10.0 to about 13.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0            millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B). Lower            surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow            Green 145 B).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium to large. Their            length is about 2.0 millimeters and their width is about 1.0            millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —            Reniform. Margins. — Smooth and regular. Color. — On young            leaves, leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS            Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a            dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are between            10.0 and 11.0 millimeters wide and between 21.0 and 22.0            millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent            upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of            development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the            sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to            RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or RHS            Grey Brown Group 199 A near the base). The corolla, formed            by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65            B or RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals color shows an evolution            until the end of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end            of February or early in March. The first bloom was observed            on Mar. 11, 2012.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to            other commercial peach cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full            bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming            period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic            conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was            observed in 2012, from Mar. 11 until Mar. 19 and then from            Feb. 21 until Mar. 8, 2013.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately between 9 to 15 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.

    -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type        flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 27.0 to 34.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            40 and 45 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium.        -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 and 22.0 millimeters. The            medium length is 21.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally between 14.0 and 17.0 millimeters. The            medium width is about 15.3 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped to elongated.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a            dark Pink (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73 D) when            young, becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a            triangular form, narrow at the base. Length. — About 2.0            millimeters. Width. — About 1.0 millimeter at the base.            Color. — The petal claw usually shows a similar color than            the petal color (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73            C).        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally            round or in a slight curve.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an            average length of approximately 3.0 millimeters. Diameter. —            Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.            Color. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green N144 B to RHS Yellow            Green N144 B). Calyx: Internal surface texture. — Smooth and            glabrous. Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is green            yellow (RHS Yellow Group 13 A to RHS Yellow Group 13 B or            RHS Yellow Orange Group 17 A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to            RHS Yellow Green 150 B). The outer surface of the calyx is            considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to            RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) and            yellow green near the base of the calyx (RHS Yellow green            144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B).        -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,            fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Length. —            Approximately 5.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0            millimeters. Form. — Conic and round at the top. Color. —            Both sides of sepals are colored with a matt Red (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey Purple            187 B).        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. — At an early            stage of maturity, anthers are colored with an orange yellow            (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) or an            orange red color (RHS Red Group N34 A or RHS Greyed Red            Group 178 A).        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange            yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS            Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The            present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 13.0 and 18.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally higher            than the pistil's length.        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N 155 D) or pale pink            (RHS Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D). The color            becomes darker during the blooming. Average number of            stamens per flower. — Generally between 42 and 48.        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 11.0 to 14.0 millimeters including            the ovary. Generally smaller than or equal to filaments in            length. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow            Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming to            become more and more pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group            150 D) and sometimes very slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36 D)            at the end of blooming. Ovary. — The pubescence is present.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 12, 2011.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘FLATDIVA’            variety has a late date of picking, and a grouped maturity.            The maturity is grouped within 7 to 10 days and the harvest            is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times            carry on Aug. 12 to Aug. 20, 2011, then on Aug. 26 to Sep.            2, 2012, then on Sep. 2 to Sep. 11, 2013.        -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Considered medium to            large.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 72.0 to 76.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 43.0 to 46.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally between 140.0 and 150.0 grams.            This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round and flattened, generally with            few bump. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed            from the suture's plane.        -   Suture.—.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed. Color.            — The suture has generally a similar color to the whole            fruit color, which is purple red (RHS Greyed Purple N186 C            or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 9.0            to 12.0 millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 to 16.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered thick and strong, and            the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,            depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Very smooth for            a peach variety. Taste. — Semi-sweet, sugary. Tendency to            crack. — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is purple red (RHS            Greyed Purple N186 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple            red blush covers 90% of the fruit skin surface on a washed            red background (RHS Greyed Red 181 A) on approximately 10%            of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on            the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant            upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was            grown. Ground color. — The ground color covers approximately            10% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered washed red            (RHS Greyed Red 181 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to 7.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow            Green 145 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a            long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,            melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not            fibrous. Aroma. — Very pronounced. Eating quality. —            Considered very good, aromatic. Flavor. — Considered            semi-sweet. The Brix is generally superior to 17 and acidity            comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Juicy to very            juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally 18.0 to 19.0            degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number            of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the            surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — The flesh is            considered greenish white (RHS Green White 157 D) usually            with a red pigmentation (RHS Red 46 A) both into the stone            cavity and around the stone cavity, on approximately 6.0            millimeters around the stone cavity.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending            on the fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered small to medium for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Flattened.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is flattened.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with flattened form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more            oblate on lateral sides. Ridges. — The surface texture is            generally characterized by more prominent ridges along the            ventral edges and at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Between 3.0 and 4.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or            RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered small to medium.            Length. — Approximately 9.0 millimeters. Width. —            Approximately 8.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately            7.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic.            Sometimes double. Pellicle. — The pellicle of the kernel has            a short pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is orange-brown            colored (RHS Greyed Orange 165 A to RHS Greyed Orange 165            B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white            (RHS White 155 D) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and            its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATDIVA’ is considered to be a            white flat peach tree having a late season of maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored in purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and            are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting            when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative            qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,            they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product            (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are            also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 2 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            white flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 2            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely            closed, generally without any cork formation. Although the            new variety of white flat peach tree possesses the described            characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            France, it should be understood that variations of the usual            magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing            conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and            horticultural management are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a semi-sweet greenish white flesh, with a redpigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skinwith a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a washedred background.